Liquid phase stabilization versus bubble formation at a nanoscale-curved interface

TL;DR

This study compares equilibrium and dynamic models to understand vapor bubble nucleation at nanoscale curved interfaces, revealing that solid-vapor interface energy primarily influences bubble formation rather than interfacial energy or Laplace pressure.

Contribution

It introduces a combined equilibrium and nonequilibrium modeling approach to analyze vapor bubble nucleation at nanoscale curved interfaces, highlighting the dominant role of solid-vapor interface energy.

Findings

Bubble formation occurs at larger radii of curvature.

Smaller radii suppress vapor bubble nucleation.

Solid-vapor interface energy is the key factor in bubble formation.

Abstract

We investigate the nature of vapor bubble nucleation near a nanoscale-curved convex liquid-solid interface using two models; an equilibrium Gibbs model for homogenous formation, and a nonequilibrium dynamic van der Waals/diffuse interface model for phase change in an initially cool liquid. Vapor bubble formation is shown to occur for sufficiently large radius of curvature and is suppressed for smaller radii. Solid-fluid interactions are accounted for and it is shown that liquid-vapor interfacial energy, hence Laplace pressure, has limited influence over bubble formation. The dominant factor is the energetic cost of creating the solid-vapor interface from the existing solid-liquid interface, as demonstrated via both equilibrium and non-equilibrium arguments.